Chapter 3 night of the ball
FOR THE LAST TIME IT AIN'T MINE! The plot and characters and whatnot belong to Mrs. Rowling, and the song (for which this story is titled) belongs to Aaron Lines and Co. period.
One more time means italics.
Finally it was Christmas Eve and the night of the Yule Ball. As was the norm, student 4th year and above were able to attend, and everyone was enthusiastic. The student in 4th year were excited to the point of giddy as it was the first year that they were allowed to attend, while the 7th years were a little sad at the thought of it being their last ball before entering the adult world.
Hermione had extremely mixed feelings. All at the same time she was giddy, happy, nervous, scared, and about 50 other emotions that she couldn't describe at the moment. It was 4:00pm when she gave up on pacing and ran across the hall to the Head Boys room.
She knocked on the door and only had to wait a moment before it was flung open to reveal a very wet Draco Malfoy standing there, wearing nothing but a towel with snakes and broomsticks on it
"Hey Hermy. What brings you by?" as if he didn't know.
'I can't stand it anymore. I stayed away as long as humanly possible, honestly I did! I need to know what you were talking about that afternoon; I need something to do. The dance is in 3 hours and I can't even start to get ready because I have no idea what I'm wearing. Please! I'm going absolutely NUTTY! I've done nothing for the past three days except sit and think. I can't so my hair or assemble my accessories or anything like that. Will you PLEASE stop torturing me and let me help with something!? Anything!" she was close to sobbing by this time and was pretending to rip handfuls of her hair from her head in frustration.
"Actually luv there is something you can help me with. I tried to figure it out on my own but it turns out I need your help to fix this problem."
"Draco! We have less than 3 hours. There isn't enough time for… that."
"My, my Granger, what a dirty mind thou has. Just because I said I need your help…"
"Ok, ok. My mistake. What is it that you need help with then?"
He leads her over to his closet and gently covered her eyes. "No peeking now." "I'm not" Draco did something completely un-Malfoy-ish to make sure she wasn't peeking… he stuck his tongue out at her. Once satisfied that she wasn't looking, he opened the doors and the whispered into her ear "ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
He removed his hand and it only took a couple seconds for her to readjust to the light, before she dropped her jaw in surprise.
Hanging in front of her were two of the most beautiful gowns she had ever seen. Both were floor length, and had long elvish style sleeves that almost touched the floor on their own. That was where the similarities ended. The one on her left was a deep midnight blue, with a silver lining around the collar and hem, and translucent silver sleeves that looked almost like gauze, but was slightly coarse to the touch. The dress it's self, looked to be made of crushed velvet.
The dress to the right was an ice blue gown with straps at the shoulders with the sleeves starting halfway down the upper arm. The sleeve material matched the dresses. It was more slippery looking than the former, though not made of silk.
"So, what do you think? Do you like them? Would you like to pick one or should I?"
"Like them? I love them! How can I possibly only choose one? Ooh I'll have to try them both on first just to see what will look better. I'm stealing your bathroom for a bit."
"Did you need help with them? I've heard that one of the zippers stick if their not done up just right…"
"No, I think I can manage on my own, if I need your… assistance, I'll call." At that, without even waiting for a reply, she shut the bathroom door behind her.
It was almost 30 minutes later that Hermione emerged from the bathroom, carrying both dresses.
"You really know how to make a girl choose, don't you? I love them both so much but I think I'm going to go with the dark blue one. To me it feels more elegant and formal – better suited for a Yule Ball, don't you think?"
"You read my mind. When I first saw them, that is almost the exact thing I said. I felt that the light blue one is more of a festive dress, like for Graduation in June perhaps?"
"Perfect! I could see myself at the dance, just not in that dress. It's too light and… well, more suited for an energetic party. It wouldn't work for Christmas."
"I agree fully, now go start getting ready. You have less than two and a half hours to get ready. Do you have all the accessories you need?"
"I think so, but if I don't I know the charm to help everything match. So I'll see you around 7:00pm?"
"I was thinking maybe a little closer to 7:15pm. As it is officially our first date in the Wizarding World, I think we should make a grand entrance. If we're a little late, then almost everyone will be there, and I'll have the opportunity to show off my beautiful girlfriend to everybody. Sound good?"
"Perfect. I'll see you after 7 then."
Another quick kiss (ok not that quick. That just wouldn't be fun to write) and the two lovers were once again separated.
By 7:10pm Hermione was near hysterics. As only Hermione could do, she was second-guessing her decisions. Did her hair look all right? Was her makeup overdone? It was, wasn't it? She caked it on and if she went down looking like that, she'd get laughed right out of the hall. Just as she started walking towards the bathroom to wash it off, there was a knock at the door.
At the door stood none other than Draco himself, dressed similar to Hermione in design, but black instead of blue. His collar and cuffs had a silver lining, and the trim looked like real silver instead of just thread. At first glance it looked like writing, but upon closer inspection, Hermione saw that the design was actually made up of hundreds of little snakes intertwined.
"By Gods, Hermione, you look gorgeous! That dress looks like it was custom made for you."
Hermione was actually surprised by this comment. "You mean it wasn't? But it fits so perfectly in every way!"
"Unfortunately I was only able to give the shop your approximate sizes, and then I fell in love with the two designs and couldn't choose between them. But that's history, and I don't want to miss one more minute of the dance, talking about stuff we've already gone through. Are you ready to go?"
"Yes… oh wait, I need your help picking some jewelry. Ginny was over last week, and borrowed the only pieces that might have matched."
Draco walked over to Hermione's jewelry box and pretended to look through it. Then he went back to Hermione and wrapped –what felt like- an elegant choker around her throat. When finished fumbling with the clasp, he walked around to her front and put matching earrings in. Hermione was slightly confused, as she couldn't remember ever owning a choker, but then Draco softly pulled her to the mirror in the bathroom, when the light was activated, she let out a soft gasp at what Draco had chosen.
At the hollow of her throat, instead of the choker she thought it might be, there was a single strand of gold with three stones trailing down that looked either blue or green or both, depending on the light.
"Oh my God… they're beautiful. What kind of gem is that? It almost looks like the stone Prof. Lupin gave to Tonks when he proposed."
"It's similar in design but a completely different stone. What he gave her was a Mystic, or Fire topaz. They are generally green and purple in color. These are known as Garden Neptune Topaz. As you can see they are blue or green or both depending on the light, sort of like your aura. It's also a darker colored stone so it matches you dress. Do you truly like them?"
"Like them!? I couldn't possibly love them more! They're absolutely perfect! Thank you. Now we have to go so that I can show them off. Let's go!"
Hermione practically carried Draco down the four flights of stairs leading to the great hall, but on the final landing, Draco dug his heels in and forced Hermione to stop. A simple glare had him hastily explaining his actions.
It would ruin out perfect image if we were to arrive all red and out of breath. Let's stop for a moment and regain out composure, then we can go knock their socks off."
"Why Draco Malfoy, you just used a Muggle saying. But I agree. I was just so excited all of a sudden to get to the Hall, I forgot about our plan. I keep imagining Harry and Parkinson's faces. Their looks alone will be worth keeping us a secret."
"What a Slytherin thought my dear. I'd say you've been well corrupted."
"Well I had a professional for a teacher. No one can throw insults around as easily as breathing like you can."
"Ah flattery, that will get you everywhere darling. Ready to dazzle the lowlies with our brilliance?" He offered her his arm as he asked.
"Absolutely." A radiant grin suddenly appeared on Hermione's face as she slipped her hand into the crook of her offered arm.
Then as one, they turned and continued their journey down to the Great Hall.
Where is she?" Harry asked Ron. "You know who she's going with, I know you do. That's why you're so calm about all of this."
"Relax Harry, yes I know who Mione's going with. She's perfectly safe; besides, she was saying that she and her date wanted to make a grand entrance. That's why she's late."
"So you can't give me any clue as to who this guy, ok fine. But its 7:30 now, they should be here now. If they're not here by 7:45 I'm going to find her, safe or not."
"Harry…" Ron was starting to sound exasperated by this time. He still felt horrible about hiding Hermione's date from Harry, even though it was obvious that Harry was still hiding something huge from him and Hermione. Still he knew that it wasn't his place to break Hermione's confidence by telling Harry.
"Why don't you go find Kevin? Remember you promised him a couple dances. Go! I'll keep an eye out for Hermione." And with that Ron gave Harry a push toward the dance floor.
Harry found his boyfriend leaning against a far wall, chatting with Blaise Zabini. Since Kevin was a Ravenclaw, he didn't have a problem socializing with the snake. Likewise, Kevin was pureblooded so there was no conflict.
Harry whispered something in Kevin's ear, and after a nanosecond of thought, he nodded, and asked Blaise to excuse him. He was lead onto the dance floor where, Harry proceeded to wrap his arms around his neck. In return, Kevin put his around Harry's waist, and together they started swaying to the music.
They were only two minutes into the song when Kevin suddenly stopped, causing Harry to overstep, trip himself, and crash-land on the floor, pulling Kevin down after him.
"What happened? Why'd you stop?"
"Look at who just walked in." he nodded to the giant double doors of the Great Hall as he regained a vertical stance, and helped Harry back to his feet.
"WHAT THE HELL!? Hermione's date is Draco Malfoy? When the hell did that happen?"
Kevin tried in vain to calm his hyperventilating boyfriend, but the damage had already been done. Everyone in the great hall had heard the outburst, including Draco and Hermione.
Hermione unsuccessfully tried to smother a snort of laughter when Harry suddenly dropped to the ground in a dead faint. Kevin, still in a semi state of shock, didn't notice the brunette going down and so, made no move to catch him.
Draco had a huge Cheshire grin on his face as he listened to all of the reactions. While the vast majority held the same opinion as Harry, there were the occasional outbursts of jealous and disapproved nature. There were also exclamations from both males and females on both sides saying that one wasn't good enough for the other. It didn't escape Draco's notice that three people were standing off to the side with smug 'took them long enough' looks on their faces. He slightly raised an eyebrow in question, but the only answer he got in return was a nod and a dismissive wave of and elegantly manicured hand. That was ok though. He'd get his answers after he danced with Hermione.
"Well darling I think we made our entrance."
"I dare say we did. I will cherish the look of pure horror on Po-Harry's face forever. I say it was well worth the wait." The music started up again, as though just realizing that it stopped. Draco turned to Hermione. "May I have this dance Ma'am?"
"It would be my pleasure, dear Sir." She slipped her hand lightly into his and let him pull her onto the dance floor.
"Enervate" was all she said as she walked passed Harry and Kevin, who was cradling the brunette head on his lap, trying with little success to get him to wake up naturally. Harry woke with a start and before he was able to ask what happened, he saw Hermione and Draco walking away together. The only thing he said after that was "I need a drink." Kevin laughed and helped him back up once more.
Draco left Hermione once they finally found an empty space on the floor. He was gone only a moment, but it was enough to peak her interest. She didn't bother worrying about it as she knew that she'd find out about it sooner or later. When Draco returned, he pulled her body close to his and they started to rotate slowly on the spot. All to soon the slow song ended, and another started. Draco softly whispered into her ear "listen to this song" and so she focused her attention on the melody coming out of the magical speakers. Her small gasp told Draco that she recognized the song. He hoped she would remember it; she was the one that introduced him to Muggle country music, early in their relationship.
"You did this?" he nodded against her hair "Why?"
"Because I felt this song fit our relationship rather well. I think you are the most beautiful woman in the world yet you continue to believe that you're nothing special. It's you I want to hold in my arms every chance I get, but you won't believe me when I say that I love you. I want to be with you for the rest of our lives, but you're scared that I'll leave when I find someone 'better'. Three weeks ago you asked me what I saw in you, that certain something that you can't hide, no matter how hard you try. Remember?"
"Yes but-"
"No buts. Listen to the lyrics, really listen. Then maybe you will finally understand what I've been telling you all along." He happened to time his response so that the chorus was just starting.
i You can't hide beautiful,
You can't hide wonderful.
There's nothing she has to do,
It just comes natural.
She makes it look easy,
I love what she does to me.
No way to disguise,
The way that she shines
You can't hide beautiful… /i
"You have a natural beauty that shines through all of the ugliness of the world. Everyone sees it even when they won't admit it. You're fun to be around, and you definitely keep life interesting. People are attracted to you but they can't understand why they can't stand to hate you, even when they really want to."
"I do see that now. Thank you for opening my eyes, Draco."
In a spur of the moment decision, Hermione gave Draco a quick kiss on the lips. As most people had returned to their dancing, they didn't notice the gesture, but notable spectators did; Namely Ron and Lavender, Pansy and Blaise, and Harry, as he was helped up once again by Kevin after tripping on the long hem of his robes.
Harry and Pansy had looks of disgust on their faces. Both the Slytherin Prince and the Gryffindor brain noticed the looks, but neither cared at the moment. They were too busy paying attention to each other, lost in their own little world. Everyone else's pride could wait until later.
"So now that we're 'out' can I write home to my parents and tell them that we're getting married, or is that waiting until we officially announce it?"
"Considering I need to talk to your dad before we do anything, I think it's a safe bet that they will find out before everyone else. But I promise you that when we are officially engaged the whole world will know about it, Muggle and magical."
"Sounds like a plan to me" Hermione snuggled into Draco's chest and they continued to rock to the soft music playing in the background."
"You know you really can't hide beautiful." He whispered into her ear.
"I know that now. Will you love me forever so that I don't forget?"
"Absolutely. Forever and a day, right?"
"Right."